Gordon Allen Govens

PhD Candidate | History of Christianity (Reformation)

ProfileGordon Govens’ research focuses on the history and theology of the Reformation, its continuing legacy and its medieval Roman Catholic ancestry. Govens holds a ThM and MDiv fromPrinceton Theological Seminary (2011, 2010), a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law (1990), and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Swarthmore College (1985). As a former practicing attorney, he draws on both his legal training and his theological education to craft a unique perspective on the Reformation. Principal interests are the intersection of law, theology and social culture across the span of history, the church’s impact on the development of secular laws and jurisprudence, and the interrelationship between church and state. As a teacher, Mr. Govens aims to inspire students to examine historical events and people with a balance of critique and empathy. Beyond the academy and classroom, he is committed to developing strategies for promoting the value of history amongst a broader audience.

DissertationTruth-Telling and Calumny: The Theological, Social and Legal Dynamics of Witness Testimony in Reformation Geneva, 1542-1552